Support for Households

• There are a number of services who can help you access the Fuel Bank Foundation, which provides vouchers to pay for heating costs in an emergency - if you have a support worker they can help you apply for this support 
• If you don’t have a support worker, Shetland Citizens Advice Bureau will advise and help you apply
• Crisis Grants to cover the cost of an emergency
• Information on the UK Government and Scottish Government Cost of Living Payments
• Warm Homes Discount Scheme 
• Winter Heating Payment is a £50 automatic payment to people on low income benefits in Scotland: Winter Heating Payment - mygov.scot
• For access to free second hand clothing for children, food, including milk, bread, cheese and vegetables and free items to help people through the winter (such as blankets, duvets, hot water bottles and thermos flasks): St Ringans hub (What3words location: ///extension.sprayer.magazines): phone 0800 0308780 to access / or look at the Support for Households page to find out opening times.

• Impartial energy efficiency advice to help save on bills and stay warm at home:
  • Home Energy Scotland Free
  • Make my home warmer · Home Energy Scotland
  • Reduce Energy Bills · Home Energy Scotland
  • Find Funding, Loans & Cashback Grants · Home Energy Scotland
• If you need advice and support with your energy bills: Shetland Citizens Advice Bureau
• Information and advice on the Area Based Scheme (ABS) energy efficiency grant and loan scheme and other sources of funding: Shetland Islands Council Energy Efficiency
• For access to free second hand clothing for children, food, including milk, bread, cheese and vegetables, and free items to help people through the winter (such as blankets, duvets, hot water bottles and thermos flasks): St Ringans hub (What3words location: ///extension.sprayer.magazines): phone 0800 0308780 to access 

For up to date and general information on energy support: Ways to save energy and reduce your bills | Ofgem

• For benefits advice, benefit checks and support with applications and appeals: Shetland Citizens Advice Bureau
• Free School Meals/Clothing Grants 
• Crisis Grants to cover the cost of an emergency
• Scottish Child Payment, Best Start Grants and Best Start Foods can all help you and your family
• There may be other benefits you're entitled to from Scottish Security Scotland
• Shetland's Employability Pathway supports people aged between 16 to retirement age to tackle barriers to employment, further education or volunteering opportunities
• For access to free second hand clothing for children, food, including milk, bread, cheese and vegetables and free items to help people through the winter (such as blankets, duvets, hot water bottles and thermos flasks): St Ringans hub (What3words location: ///extension.sprayer.magazines): phone 0800 0308780 to access 

• Information to support the management of money and budgeting
  •  Beginner's guide to managing your money | MoneyHelper
  •  Money map | Citizens Advice Scotland
• For  money advice and support to tackle debt problems: Shetland Citizens Advice Bureau
• Crisis Grants to cover the cost of an emergency
• If you’re struggling to maintain your home or are worried about homelessness – Housing Support Services

• NHS Inform has information and advice about healthy living, and what you can do to look after your mental and physical wellbeing.
• Local 1-1 support for mental health and wellbeing: Mind Your Head
• Befriending
• Confidential phone line for anyone feeling low, anxious or depressed: Breathing Space
• Other useful websites include:
  • Scotland Association of Mental Health
  • Samaritans in Scotland
• If you are in receipt of certain benefits you will qualify for the Leisure Centres’ Access to Leisure Scheme; this provides access to many of the facilities for only £1 a session
• The British Red Cross support people locally too
•  For access to free second hand clothing for children, food, including milk, bread, cheese and vegetables, and free items to help people through the winter (such as blankets, duvets, hot water bottles and thermos flasks): St Ringans hub (What3words location: ///extension.sprayer.magazines): phone 0800 0308780 to access

• If you need an emergency food parcel, ask Shetland CAB or a support worker (if you have one) to make a referral on your behalf to Shetland Food Bank
• If you need a food parcel and live in a rural area, without the means to collect yourself from Lerwick, you can click on food parcel requests through  Anchor Project food parcels through Shetland Food Bank 

• For free bus travel: Eligibility and Conditions for the 60+ or Disabled Traveller 
• Winter fuel payment is automatically made to pensioners; if you don’t receive it but think you should, contact Shetland Citizens Advice Bureau
• If you have health problems which impact on your daily life you may be entitled to Attendance Allowance - Citizens Advice Scotland
• Age UK has useful information on all supports, including Energy and Benefits
• Information on UK Government and Scottish Government Cost of Living Payments for pensioners
• For access to free second hand clothing for children, food, including milk, bread, cheese and vegetables and free items to help people through the winter (such as blankets, duvets, hot water bottles and thermos flasks): St Ringans hub (What3words location: ///extension.sprayer.magazines): phone 0800 0308780 to access 

• These payments can help you and your family
  • Scottish Child Payment
  • Best Start Grants and Best Start Foods
• Free School Meals/Clothing Grants 
• EMA, Bursaries and Financial Support
• Information to support the management of money and budgeting: Money map | Citizens Advice Scotland
• For free bus travel:  Young Persons' Free Bus Travel Scheme | Transport Scotland
• For general support in making sure your household is receiving all the financial support and benefits you’re entitled to, speaking to services on your behalf, practical help and a friendly ear contact the Anchor for Families Team
•  For access to free second hand clothing for children and free items to help people through the winter (such as blankets, duvets and hot water bottles): St Ringans hub is currently open every Tuesday 10.30am-1.30pm and the first Saturday of each month, 10.30am-1.30pm. Alternatively you can call us on (What3words location: ///extension.sprayer.magazines): phone 0800 0308780 to access.

• For information on Child Disability Payment: Child Disability Payment - mygov.scot
• For information on Adult Disability Payment: Adult Disability Payment - mygov.scot
• You may be entitled to support from Scottish Security Scotland
• If you are over 65 and have health problems which impact on your daily life you may be entitled to Attendance Allowance - Citizens Advice Scotland
• Local Support is available: Ability Shetland
• For free bus travel: Eligibility and Conditions for the 60+ or Disabled Traveller (transport.gov.scot)
• Information on UK Government and Scottish Government Cost of Living Payments for pensioners: Cost of Living Payment - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 
• For access to free second hand clothing for children, food, including milk, bread, cheese and vegetables and free items to help people through the winter (such as blankets, duvets, hot water bottles and thermos flasks): St Ringans hub (What3words location: ///extension.sprayer.magazines): phone 0800 0308780 to access 

• For information on Carers Allowance: Carer's Allowance: How it works - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
• For information on Young Carer Grant and Carer’s Allowance Supplement Benefits and grants - mygov.scot
• Local Support is available: Voluntary Action Shetland | Virtual Carers Centre (shetlandcarers.org)
• For access to free second hand clothing for children, food, including milk, bread, cheese and vegetables and free items to help people through the winter (such as blankets, duvets, hot water bottles and thermos flasks): St Ringans hub (What3words location: ///extension.sprayer.magazines): phone 0800 0308780 to access